All of our vegetables are grown using an array of techniques ranging from traditional to modern, with a few adaptations I have learned along the way.
Produce is cleaned on the farm prior to delivery, using our annually tested well water. Leaves are rinsed twice.
To ensure I meet my commitment, I plant a little more than is needed to cover for the occasional setback in the season.
With a couple of exceptions, we follow organic standards and principles. We will probably use PVC plastic when we construct our hoop house at some point in the future. PVC plastic is prohibited on certified organic growing fields. I opt for using PVC plastic as it lasts up to five more years than polyethylene plastic.
PVC is prohibited under the organic certification due to the concern of minute quantities of chlorine leaching from the plastic into the soil.
Our pigs are raised ecologically and ethically. They are free ranged to feed on fenced grassland and are fed organically certified feed once a day to ensure they recieve all their micronutrients.
Our pigs are raised ecologically and ethically. They are free ranged to feed on fenced grassland and are fed organically certified feed once a day to ensure they recieve all their micronutrients.
Our shiitakes are grown on iron wood logs sourced trees from an untreated woodlot (owned by the former owners of our Lanark farm). The ironwood trees are culled from the woodlot to make room for other species, such as oak, maple, black walnut and fruit trees.
Our bees are likewise sourced from a non organic farm. Organic honey requires a considerable distance of buffer between the hives and other agricultural spraying operations (I think it is 6 km but need to double check that as of this writing).
We give the hives one to two treatments of formic acid per year to control mites, when there is a need. Formic acid is permitted under the organic standard, though some bee keepers consider this an "unnatural' technique for controlling mites.
I was trained and mentored on a Bio-dynamic farm - Elmtree Farm.
One of the principles that I use from that regime is the "whole farm" concept. All parts and components of the farm are considered as a whole entity. The livestock, vegetable crops, and ourselves are part of a larger neighborhood and eco system. When planning our activities and the future growth of the farm, we take into account the impact we will have and how best to use what is already here to minimize that impact or support the already present eco-system.
For example, some of our land is proposed for future vegetable plots, but there is some land that we intend to leave as meadow. Some work will be done here to improve soil and increase the amount of local wildflower and herbaceous plants. This meadowland then benefits the farm by attracting pollinators (in addition to our bees, which in turn support our vegetable crops).
Other considerations are maintaining tree belts to maximize ground water retention, using livestock to increase fertility on weak soils, using cover crops to prevent soil erosion, and doing our part to support the community we are a part of.
Our Seed Sources:
All of our seed potatoes come from either Ellenbergers Organic Farm, in Coe Hill; or are reserved from our own seed stock.
All of our seed potatoes come from either Ellenbergers Organic Farm, in Coe Hill; or are reserved from our own seed stock.
All of our garlic comes from either Rasa Creek Farm, Norwegian Creek Farm (Both in B.C.), or from our own seed stock. A limited amount from Fat Rooster Farm in Ontario.
We do some vegetable seed saving and expect to do more as the years go by.
William Dam Seeds in southern Ontario
High Mowing Seeds in Vermont
Johnny Seeds in Maine
A limited amount of seeds are purchased from West coast Seeds in B.C. some years.
I have sourced some rare varieties - such as my frisrt certified organic parsnip seeds - from Sunshine Farm in Kelowna B.C.